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Cadillac Fleetwood — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Cadillac Fleetwood model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
28
Years to Avoid
1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1986, 1985
Best Years
1997, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1971
1998
4 complaints0 recalls3 TSBs
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Avoid
39 complaints2 recalls1 invest.34 TSBs
1995Avoid
22 complaints5 recalls1 invest.26 TSBs
1994Avoid
27 complaints5 recalls13 TSBs
1993Avoid
51 complaints3 recalls7 TSBs
1992
13 complaints2 recalls1 invest.5 TSBs
1991
22 complaints3 recalls2 invest.5 TSBs
1990
22 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1989
16 complaints2 recalls
1988
4 complaints3 recalls2 invest.
1987
8 complaints4 recalls2 invest.
1986Avoid
10 complaints5 recalls4 invest.
1985Avoid
17 complaints3 recalls4 invest.
1984
1 complaints2 recalls3 invest.
1983
6 complaints2 recalls3 invest.
1982
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1981Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1978
1 complaints2 recalls
1977Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1972
1 complaints1 recalls
1971Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Cadillac Fleetwood Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1986, 1985 Cadillac Fleetwood are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Cadillac Fleetwood, consider the 1997, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1971 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

28 model years analyzed